Judging by panicked reactions, the media and millions of Americans believe that Donald Trump has done the impossible and fooled all the people all the time.

.

An all-points bulletin has gone out in the media to cover this new silent majority that east and west coast denizens never saw coming.

Yet the majority does not exist.

.

Yes, Trump puts up an amazing Potemkin front. His control of the media, his cleverly crafted tweets which set the news agenda every day, and the wringing of hands by top Democrats seemingly unable to blunt his appeal all point to some form of political colossus impossible to stop.

.

Except it is the ultimate fake news.

.

The evidence is plain. He won with 46 per cent of the vote, the smallest electoral total in history for a winning American presidential candidate.
Millions more people voted for Hillary Clinton. He was aided by Wikileaks, the Russians and execrable FBI chief James Comey who placed his finger plainly on the scales.

.

Like most everything else, Trump is faking his popularity. The most telling aspect of all is his approval ratings as he comes to Washington this week and is sworn in as president on Friday.

.

Goodwill bounce

.

A new Quinnipiac University poll rated his approval at just 37 per cent, down nine points already from his winning total and likely headed lower if the trend continues.

.

By contrast, George W Bush at 81 per cent and Barack Obama at 80 per cent enjoyed a massive goodwill bounce when they entered office.

.

As to how he handled the transition, Trump is underwater again. Only 48 per cent approve of how he handled his transition team.

.

Barack Obamas numbers were 83 per cent for how handled that task, while Bush was 60 per cent.